VACATION

I'm taking a much needed Break!

I will be leaving Arizona, Bloggerville, and Facebook behind for 3 weeks!

We are heading to the Riverhouse for some Family FUN!

I will be making memories with my kidlets as we are rollin' on the river!

Kisses & Hugs

Reflecting...

I have had several experiences over the past couple of days that have strongly impressed me to sit down and write this out.

I'm not sure why but it has been strong enough that I will stop avoiding it.

I really enjoyed last Sundays lesson taught in RS. You can read it HERE.

Anyways the following was read aloud...

The sick may be healed through faith and the exercise of priesthood power, according to the Lord’s will.

Then Sis. Phelps asked, Why some prayers are answered and why some are not. Her question gave me a burning desire to share my feelings about "the Lord's will". So I did and it left me pondering the following experiences of my life for the remainder of the day, as well as all day yesterday, and again this morning. So here I sit at my computer but before I share my response to Sis. Phelps' question I will give a little background...

It is no secret that my dad, Jefferey Lynn Carter, died in August 1989. My father was diagnosed with Epilepsy while my mom was pregnant with me (1981-ish). The Epilepsy started small but progressively developed over the years. I was young enough not to remember too much about what was going on as well as the hardship it was for both my father and mother. I did know that he was sick but I don't think I ever realized how sick he was. I do know that when I was about 4-ish, he got better enough for them to have my little sister Terri and 21 months later my little brother Ty snuck in there. :) That's when my dad started to get really bad. He had a few major surgeries in an attempt to correct the seizures. After the last surgery he never recovered. After he died, they found that he had a rare form of cancer that lined his brain.

Now here is the story I shared in RS in response to Sis. Phelps' question...

A couple of months before my dad passed away, a General Authority, Elder Vaughn J Featherstone was in town for a conference. While he was there, it was arranged for Elder Featherstone to give my father a Priesthood blessing (healing of the sick). My family believed that this blessing would be the blessing that would heal my father. To my family's surprise, Elder Featherstone did not mention anything about my father being healed. Instead it was more like a blessing to comfort him and us, his family.

I believe strongly that the Lord has a plan for all of us. I don't believe that my dad died because we didn't have enough faith for him to be healed. I truly believe that it was Heavenly Father's will to call him home because there was work for him to do on the other side of the veil. This was part of my dad's plan. It was also part of my plan. As hard and difficult as it was for me and our family at the time, I look back on it and it was such a milestone in my life. There are so many things I have learned from this single part of my life. I have tried hard not to dwell too much on the "what ifs" of life because I believe that is a downward spiral into depression. This is my life, this is what happened and I appreciate the things that I have learned because they have made me who I am today. I still had a very happy childhood. I believe that families can be together forever. I know that I will see my dad again and he will know me and I will be able to hug him and we will be happy.

We do not always understand why some prayers are answered and why some are left unanswered. I do however trust my Heavenly Father that He knows what is best and He will do what is His will.

'Till we meet again...'

Daddy Jeff circa 1970's!

This picture was titled Jethro. I don't get it but I like it.

I think my dad was a knuckle-head/joker!

It cracks me up how much Ty looks like him. Especially in this picture.

If you have any questions about my verbage, go to THIS Website and check it out.

Praying

Here is a "little" part of Cori's prayer this morning at breakfast...

"Hopeful we can have a good Valentines Day, Hopeful it can snow this week tomorrow..." I couldn't bring myself to tell her that we live in the desert and it doesn't snow much here, or ever. And Valentine's Day? That came out of Left Field! I didn't even know she knew bout Valentine's Day. But who am I to question her prayers? She can pray for whatever she wants to pray about! She is really beginning to think about what she prays about. It's really really cute (and funny) to see her get it. She thinks to pray about EVERYTHING! I wish I could be more like that.

Jake on the other hand says the same exact prayer. We are working on it. Every day he prays to "help us have a good day at school tomorrow and church tomorrow..." every day with out fail. Sometimes it's said multiple times during the same prayer!

Oh the innocence of babes!

I just thought it was cute and wanted to write it down so I don't forget how cute they are.

Squeakers Shoes

I'm adding this to my sidebar because I ALWAYS get asked where to buy these.

Here is an old post where I have video of the shoes.

Dating THE Man

Jared and I have made a strong effort to date regularly... each other... not others...

him and I... on a date... with no kids...

Am I making any sense?

Last night was a Zona first and a Zona must!

We went to a DiamondBacks game and it was super FUN!

Doesn't it look like we are having fun?

One of Jared's Doctors has season tickets and couldn't make the game last night so he gave them to us.

They were great seats and the Stadium is awesome!

Baby Sister's Makin' BOWS

My Cute Baby Sister has an Etsy shop where she is selling the CUTEST handmade bows!

Hop on over and check it out!

I am keeping a button on my sidebar for convenience. If you would like to add a button to your blog to help spread the word, leave me a comment.

Congratulations Terd and Good Luck!

A Girl and her PA

Jared took Cori on a date tonight.

She got dressed in her jammies and then they went out in the backyard to hunt.

There is a big open field behind our house with lots of critters.

(don't worry, no animals were harmed, I think)

Cori Just loves getting that special attention from her Pa!

As I watch them from the window, I love that I can see how much she adores him.

They really have a special relationship.

I hope that they will continue to strengthen their relationship as Cori grows older.

I pray that her image of him will always remain the way it is tonight.

She thinks the world of him!

It makes me so happy that he takes the time to make their dates special

even if they are just shootin' crap in the backyard!

I appreciate the time he spends with her and I know that they will be close friends forever.

A true BFF.

Poor Sleeping Habits

He just doesn't like going to bed so I keep finding him in places like this.

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!

The BURDEN is Back!!!

BOO HOO HOO!

That's what I get for a premature celebration!

Don't fret, I'm not too bummed about it.

I always new it was a possibility in this market.

A contract unfortunately doesn't mean a thing right now.

Next time I will celebrate after a closing!

Back to wishing, hoping, and praying... :)

On a lighter note...

How cute did my kids look this 4th of JULY?!!

too bad we had no where to go!

Note to self... Next Year, make plans than make outfits!

Growing Pains

the best we could get

I am the one experiencing the Growing Pains as my children grow older everyday. It Hurts! They are truly special kids and I am trying to enjoy this special time I have with them because I know that all too soon they will be grown up. And at that point, I'm sure my growing pains will be even stronger. I hope that I am doing all that I can to prepare my children for the unknown future. I think that things are going ok but as any mother can tell you, I feel like I should be doing more. But for now I recognize that even though my children are constantly destroying this house, they are happy and healthy and I will just go with it. Here are some things about them that make me smile...

Cori When I look at her these days I just can't get over how grown up she is. It makes me excited and sad at the same time! Such a weird feeling. I am so proud of who she is. Such a sweet girl who always wants to please and be praised. She is a HUGE help to me around the house. I have to constantly remind myself that she is just a 4 yr old and to let her be a little girl. She is however anxious to be a big girl, get her ears pierced, and chew gum.

"It's 8, 19 o'clock ago, we're late!" said while looking at her imaginary watch.

"You did a good job mom. You're such a good boy."

After I cleaned her room, she walked in

Cori- "Wow, Mom did you clean my room?"

me- "yes"

Cori-"it looks so wonderful. Thank you for cleaning my room. That is so nice of you."

Jake Is still such a sweet boy. He still likes to cuddle and love on his mom and PA. His big smile makes my heart melt and his cry breaks it. He really, really, really wants to be a big boy and looks forward to doing things that big boys do. He is pretty competitive and does not lose gracefully. He likes all things boy related but is really into big boy toys like bikes, skateboards, 4 wheelers, swamp buggy's, etc.He is a very good brother and He loves his brother and sisters! He is obsessed with his Pa and is constantly in Jared's shadow!

"I gonna win you. I wind you mom!"

"You can't win me!" said while whining after someone got there first

Me- "Jakey, you're so cute"

Jake- "yeah, I so cooooooote"

Me- "You're so funny"

Jake- "No, I Yakey" (thats how he says his name)

Me- "no, Jake, mom said you are funny"

Jake- "NO, I YAAAKEKEEEYYY!"

Jason This little guy is so special. He is all over the place. One minute he is hugging and kissing you and the next minute he is yelling and spitting at you. His giggle his contagious and he has a big heart. He loves his big brother and sister and wants to do EVERYTHING they do. He has recently noticed that he is a big brother too and is constantly checking on Lucie and making sure she is ok. The 2 of them are starting to play well together and I can't get enough of their giggle matches! He is talking lots now but it usually requires translation by me. Of course everything he says is so cute but my favorite is...

me- "Where's Jason"

Jason- "ick-a-boo"

Lucie Lately she is Precious Pink PRINCESS PANTS! Sassy as can be and is definitely aware that she is the baby and takes full advantage of the situation! I love it!!! She has learned that if she cries or makes a crying face or noise that the whole family will stop what they are doing and come to her aid. She loves this about us, but if we didn't notice then she gives us a full on "2yr old" tantrum, which is a site to see (she is so LOUD)! She isn't talking yet but will mimic my yelling at the kids. She loves her mama and follows her around everywhere. It makes me feel good (the other 3 were all about Jared). She is a very happy girl and has my permission to be as sweet or rotten as she wants!

Today I am just so grateful for these kids.

This is what life is all about!

Life is GOOD!

Destructive Children!

What is wrong with my kids???

Are all of your children this destructive or am I just lucky?

If we don't get out of this house soon we are gonna have to buy it!

Aimee- You were right first. The screw belonged to the toilet in the downstairs bathroom. I don't even want to know who ripped it out of the floor and how they did it! Thanks for your help!

Hip Hip HOORAY!!!

Well ALMOST anyways.

We received a contract on our home in FL yesterday and we accepted it today!

We are SO EXCITED!!! A huge burden has been lifted and we are so thankful to be able to sell a home in this market! They plan to move in August 1st so we have to figure out when and who will come out to pack up the rest of the house for the movers.

I can't wait to have all my stuff!!!

Big Boys

This is what happens to my boys when they think they are too big for naps.

knocked out cold at 5:30 pm!

What is this?

I found this on the floor of my kitchen last week.

There was nothing around it. It was laying solo on the floor.

It looks important so I've kept it.

I've looked all over the house trying to find where it came from but no such luck.

If you have a guess as to where you think my children snagged it from I will send you a reward.

Your guess is as good as mine, Thanks for your help!